How Sheffield United most impressed Patrick Bamford as hope offered for fellow Leeds United icon Kalvin Phillips
Patrick Bamford, Sheffield United's leading scorer last season, believes regular football and the support of Chris Wilder and the club's medical staff have helped him put his injury troubles behind him ahead of a crucial campaign
Patrick Bamford has hailed Sheffield United for helping him overcome his injury frustration last season, amid hopes that he can spearhead a promotion charge in the upcoming campaign. The former Leeds United man only joined United in November but finished as their top scorer.
Almost as importantly his availability record was excellent, despite coming in without a full club pre-season under his belt and question marks about his fitness record in recent years. They were quickly shot down by Blades chief Chris Wilder and, as it turned out, correctly so.
Bamford will go into the new season, as things stand, as United’s focal point in attack as they look to improve on last season’s inconsistency which saw them only climb to 13th after recovering from their horror start.
“It was good. It was. I enjoyed it,” he said of his first season in South Yorkshire. “That was the main thing. Getting back playing, enjoying football again, and it was comfortable as well, because obviously I didn't have to uproot the family.
“Chris was really good with me, which obviously nobody saw coming. It was really good, really enjoyed it. Obviously the season itself wasn't particularly good, with the way it finished. We were a bit up and down, but it was still enjoyable.”
Bamford did a lot of work on his own and with his own fitness team before joining United, after a spell training with Coventry City almost saw him join the eventual Championship winners before their owner vetoed the deal.
“For the last maybe year to year and a half, I've been able to work specifically with my team, which has helped a lot,” he added, speaking to our sister ‘paper the Yorkshire Evening Post. “And obviously they know what I needed.
“Sheffield United have been really accommodating and helpful with the stuff week to week. I think for any player, there's no replication for games. There's nothing that can substitute playing regularly.
“You can be as robust as you want in training but you do need to play game after game. I managed to get that at Sheffield United last season, and then it becomes the norm that you're going to be fit. That was important. I get anxious if I go too long without doing anything, so the training camp was nice and I enjoyed doing it.”
Bamford’s experience gives United fresh optimism about Kalvin Phillips as well, if the Blades can land a deal to bring his former Leeds United and England teammate back to Bramall Lane.
He saw his season cut short by injury but the hope is that, with a run of games behind him, he can rediscover the robustness that Wilder is seeking in his Blades squad ahead of a huge season.